The Lotus Grand Tourers

Hawaiis0 wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 15:53
I have a Lucas AB14 tester if you are ever over west oxford way. Happy to loan it

I might take you up on that thanks Stu - West Oxford would be a nice drive out when it's sorted - I'll PM you separately when I'm confident it's running ok.

Finally - all back together.
Had a bit of a nightmare trying to find fuel fittings, so, after a couple of failed attempts and product returns, I eventually went for the option of clamping the new hose over the old fuel line. I can't find the post where this idea is suggested, but thanks to whoever wrote it as it seems to work fine.

I wasn't keen on this approach initially, but it's all done now and is leak free.
I was particularly keen to get the new filter in before the fuel pump while there is no filter/strainer in the tank. Looking at the diagrams there is a tiny filter in the fuel pump inlet of the ASX1308 SU fuel pumps, so I was concerned about that collecting all the rubbish and getting blocked up if I positioned the fuel filter after the pump.
I put a big OE type filter in rather than one of the little ones for two reasons :
1. Expected longer life in the case that it does see a lot of contamination
2. Higher flow capacity - I figured if it will do a 300bhp car then it should flow plenty of fuel.

Here is the inlet system now looking a bit more cared for :

Next steps in the engine bay will be to paint the cam covers, and then maybe the coolant header and brake servo.

So, you may be wondering whether all of this actually solved the problem ?
Well, not quite ...
Tickover was still rough, and I finally traced that to the carbs being way out of balance. The front carb throttles were being held open when the rear was on the stop. I adjusted the screw setting the relative position of front and rear throttles until the tickover dropped and became much smoother, then could set the tickover properly with the main throttle stop. Mixture screws are also set much leaner than before the stripdown and it all works lovely
I was a bit concerned about two potential problems on the first test drive :
1. That I might have gone too lean on the mixture.
2. That I might get some fuel starvation with the filter ahead of the pump.

I've now had it out 3 times including 2 runs of 5miles and all seems to be running well, so hopefully I have actually fixed it - fingers crossed.
As it turns out you were right Tony when you suggested a good service and work through the whole system would be required - definitely more than one thing contributing to the problems.

Next major job will now have to be the one I am definitely not looking forward to - the headlining .......
In the meantime, the tracking needs sorting - I've made some adjustments based on very agricultural measurement methods, but I'd like to get it right. I'm wondering whether to invest in the TrackAce tracking gauge rather than just take it to a garage - any thoughts ?
Also, I suspect one of the steering arms may be slightly bent, so need to have a think about that.

I use a device similar to the TrackAce - works fine with a little care.

Pete

Cheers Pete.
I decided to treat myself and splashed out on the TrackAce tracking gauge. I bought it from Rally Design and it came next day.

I just about managed to get the car positioned far enough over to enable me to position the laser device and do the measurement in the garage.
The tool works well once you've got it set up - I managed to get consistent readings and am now happy that the tracking is set within spec after 3 adjustments. I currently have it at 16" - 17" toe in, which is equivalent to 1.7mm (spec 1.2mm - 3.2mm). Steering wheel is nicely centred.
I'll bring the kit along when I finally get out to a meet in case other people want to give it a try.

Made a start on my dreaded job over the last few days.
The sun visor issue is in the trim section, but I was about to start on the main trim and could do with a bit of advice on the trim I'm using

I'm wondering if it's normal to be able to easily separate the 3 layers making up the trim like you can see in the picture ?
Or have I got some rubbish trim and should junk it for something better ?
The trim came with the car, hence it being my first choice, but I don't want to suffer a load of pain and time putting in something that's not suitable - it seems weird to invest loads of money in expensive super strong high temperature adhesive when it's so easy to separate the trim itself
As always, any advice much appreciated

Cheers,

That doesn't sound good to me. I certainly didn't notice anything like that when I did my roof lining.

The material really isn't very expensive, I got mine from Martrim. I'd spend a little money for the re-assurance that you are getting something that'll last.

One tip - there are a couple of patches on mine where I put too much adhesive on the fabric and it soaked through, leaving some ugly blots on the visible side of the lining. So, use enough adhesive, but don't overdo it!

Thanks Richard,
Took a trip to Lotusbits today and bought some proper trim (along with a load of other bits).
I was very tempted by their new trim kits - they look lovely, and at £650 are probably fairly priced, but I couldn’t justify spending that much and still having to do the b-pillars myself. The quilted headlining in particular looks lush.
Interestingly, Mike strongly advised against using Trimfix for any of the trim - he showed me a recently trimmed Elite where the headlining had dropped after being glued in with Trimfix.
They use the HTA1000 stuff for all their trim, including the headlining, whereas I know most of you have used Trimfix for the 2 big bits that are stuck directly to the roof.
Any thoughts ?

Most trim glues only do up to 30 degrees C , where it was 48 in my garage this week! Non high Temp stuff has no chance so as Mike says - dont use it.

I used high temperature contact adhesive from Martrim. Hasn’t fallen down yet after 3 years…

I can say that, after 3 years, what’s left in the can isn’t as useful any more!!

I got my Trimfix spray adhesive from Martrim at the NEC show, and it’s supposed to work up to 110degC, hence me being puzzled by Mike’s comments.
The Martrim guys specifically advised against using the brush on stuff for the big roof panel sections, so I’m now in two minds what to do ?

Go with the Trimfix. What do you have to loose. Just make sure you apply a decent amount.
I did mine with a high temp contact adhesive from Woolies a few years back. It dropped after the first summer, but I know I was sparse on it's use (you're folded into the car, holding you breathe so you don't breath too much vapour and if like me the first time, you try to avoid masking so need to be careful where you are spraying).
The material was fine, just sagging, so I did it again with more spray. 2 years on its still fine.
As a note, I used a small sponge painting roller to apply pressure after lightly contacting the fabric to ceiling. It won't leave lines due to compressing the sponge in the fabric layers.

Tony

That’s really helpful advice thanks Tony.
I will definitely be masking up the edges - there’s no way I trust myself to be that accurate with adhesive spray
I’m currently aiming to get it all done by the end of June
Cheers,

I’m currently aiming to get it all done by the end of June

Be ready for a Sunday run up to Lotus In The Peak then

That would be a great idea except I have to go to a wedding that weekend

Now I've done a few decent runs, a couple of things have emerged that definitely need sorting :
1. Intermittent ignition cut-out (initially just on start-up, but cut out a few times while driving when I went to Lotusbits).
2. Leaky diff output shaft oil seal (an observant person could probably track the car using the drips on the road !).

I picked up a new ignition switch while at Lotusbits and fitted it today.
I haven't fully tested it yet as the car is on stands with the diff awaiting sealing washers before I fill it up with new oil, but initial tests suggest the new switch works works and has hopefully sorted the problem. It's a bit of an awkward job, but not too difficult with the help of the majcd Lotus bible :
https://majcd213.blogspot.com/2016/11/i ... witch.html.
I took the old switch to bits and it definitely doesn't look too good with the very dirty contacts as seen in the picture below.
Not too long until a complete failure leaving me stranded I think, so repaired just in time.


I'm going to put something on the "differential seal in situ" thread about the oil seal change when I've tested it.
Cheers,